Condition
Acne vulgaris
A common skin condition where hair follicles clog with oil and dead skin, producing blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed papules — most often on the face, chest, and back.
See a clinician
Some causes of acne vulgaris need medical care, not self-treatment. Seek help for any of these:
- Deep, painful nodules or cysts, or acne that is scarring — needs prescription treatment to prevent permanent scars.
- Sudden severe acne with fever, joint pain, or feeling unwell (acne fulminans) — seek medical care.
- Acne with signs of a hormonal disorder (irregular periods, excess facial/body hair, rapid weight gain) — worth medical assessment for conditions like PCOS.
- Acne not improving after 2–3 months of suitable over-the-counter care, or causing significant distress.
What may help
Remedies studied for acne vulgaris, ranked by strength of evidence.
- B Niacinamide (topical) nutrient
Topical ~4% gel reduces inflammatory acne about as well as topical clindamycin over 8 weeks; trials are small/older and mostly active-comparator.
- B Tea tree oil (topical) herb
Topical 5% gel meaningfully reduces acne lesions versus placebo, with effect comparable to benzoyl peroxide but slower; trials are small and few.
- B Zinc nutrient
Oral zinc modestly reduces inflammatory acne lesions and acne patients tend to have lower serum zinc; the effect is smaller than standard antibiotics or retinoids.
Standard care ranges from topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide to, in more severe cases, prescription medicines. A few non-prescription options have controlled-trial support as milder alternatives or adjuncts — topical tea tree oil and topical niacinamide for inflammatory acne, and oral zinc as a modest add-on.